Mapping the Dynamics of Vegetation Density Using the NDVI Index in Palopo City (2019-2023) 1)Muh. Azriel Putra Rizal, 1)Muh. Fahri, 2)Almayra Nujazzmine Dipoatmodjo Putriscesar
1)Department Of Geography, Universitas Negeri Makassar
2)Depertment Of Biology, Universitas Diponegoro
Abstract
Rapid population growth and increasing land demand for housing and economic activities have intensified the reduction of green open spaces, particularly in medium-sized cities that are rarely studied compared to large metropolitan areas. This research addresses that gap by examining vegetation dynamics in Palopo City, South Sulawesi, from 2019 to 2023 using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) combined with a descriptive-qualitative approach. The analysis reveals a significant decline in vegetation density, particularly in peri-urban areas where residential and commercial expansion has accelerated. Unlike most previous studies that focus on major urban centers in Java, this study provides new insights into vegetation changes in an underrepresented medium-sized city, emphasizing the role of urbanization and population mobility in driving land-use conversion. The novelty of this research lies in its multi-year temporal observation of NDVI in Palopo, which enriches the empirical understanding of vegetation dynamics in Eastern Indonesia while highlighting the urgent need to integrate environmental considerations into urban spatial planning. The findings are crucial for policymakers and urban planners to balance socio-economic growth with ecological sustainability, ensuring that urban development does not irreversibly compromise green infrastructure and ecosystem services.
